The 49-year-old spent 12 years at Milan as a player during two spells with the side, making 120 appearances and scoring 18 goals. He has also been linked more recently to a managerial role with the club, prompting Parma president Tommaso Ghiradi to deny that Donadoni had been lined up to replace Massimiliano Allegri next summer.

"For me Milan represents the past," the former midfielder told reporters. "Even if the past is undoubtedly important, they are [our] opponents this weekend. Sentiment cannot affect things, I am Parma's coach now.

"Even [if] it sounds banal, it is so. Milan are an opponent in the league and should be dealt with as such.

"Tomorrow morning I will make the last considerations for the starting XI. At the moment there are no guarantees. There are some players who are more tired. Some are more difficult to recover. We will see."

The Italian trainer also spoke of his happiness after Ghirardi revealed in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday that he was trying to extend Donadoni's contract at the club.

"It makes me very happy," said the former Italy international. "The ingredients are all here for continuity and what the President said gives me further encouragement and pride," he added.